Rock Dove - Columba livia

The Rock Dove is the same species as the domestic pigeon and the feral pigeon (domestic pigeons that have gone back to the wild) .The adult Rock Dove is 29 to 37 cm (11 to 15 in) long with a 62 to 72 cm (24 to 28 in) wingspan. It has a dark bluish-gray head, neck, and chest with glossy yellowish, greenish, and reddish-purple iridescence along its neck and wing feathers. The iris is orange, red or golden with a paler inner ring, and the bare skin round the eye is bluish-grey. The bill is grey-black with an off-white cere. The feet are purplish-red. The white lower back of the pure Rock Dove is its best identification character; the two black bars on its pale grey wings are also distinctive. Females are similar to the males, but have a less intense iridescence on the neck.

Habitat and Distribution

Feral pigeons find the ledges of buildings to be a substitute for sea cliffs. They have become adapted to urban life, and are abundant in towns and cities throughout much of the world.

Feeding

Feral pigeons can be seen eating grass seeds and berries in parks and gardens in the spring, but there are plentiful sources throughout the year from scavenging (e.g.,left overs inside fast-food cartons). They also take insects and spiders.

Breeding

Feral pigeons breed when the food supply is abundant enough to support embryonic egg development, which in cities can be any time of the year. Laying of eggs can take place up to six times per year. Both parents participate in the incubation process of the eggs.